Access Word Meaning

Middle English (in the sense ‘sudden attack of illness’): from Latin accessus, from the verb accedere ‘to approach’ (see accede). access (sense 1 of the noun) is first recorded in the early 17th century

the means or opportunity to approach or enter a place

means of entering

• the staircase gives access to the top floor
• wheelchair access

an attack or outburst of an emotion

outburst of emotion

• I was suddenly overcome with an access of rage

approach or enter (a place)

approach or enter

• single rooms have private facilities accessed via the balcony

obtain or retrieve (computer data or a file)

retrieve computer data

• information can be accessed from several files and displayed at the same time